Cole William Birchard, a 31-year-old resident of Riverside, California, tragically lost his life on May 17, 2021. Birchard was shot to death outside a Motel 6 located on the 3600 block of La Sierra Avenue in Riverside. The incident occurred in the early morning hours when Birchard encountered Robert Donald Intong, a 48-year-old man from Desert Hot Springs, who was staying at the same motel with his girlfriend and her young adult daughter.
The circumstances leading to the fatal shooting began when Birchard joined Intong and his girlfriend while they were sharing a cigarette. Surveillance footage from the motel showed the three conversing for several minutes before Birchard stepped away, only to return and punch Intong in the face. In response, Intong retrieved a 9mm handgun from his room and, standing behind his girlfriend, fired multiple rounds over her shoulder, fatally wounding Birchard.
The case quickly drew the attention of law enforcement and the judicial system. Robert Donald Intong was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, along with sentence-enhancing allegations of using a firearm and causing great bodily injury. The trial took place in the Riverside Hall of Justice, where the prosecution presented evidence, including the surveillance video that captured the events leading up to the shooting. The defense argued that Intong acted in self-defense, but the jury was not convinced. After less than a day of deliberation, the jury found Intong guilty of first-degree murder. The judge ordered Intong to be held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail, pending his sentencing hearing scheduled for August 30, 2024.
The trial revealed additional details about the moments following the shooting. According to court documents, Intong, his girlfriend, and her daughter calmly removed items from their room and loaded them into Intong's vehicle, all while Birchard's lifeless body lay nearby. Intong even took the time to pick up some of the spent shell casings before leaving the scene. It was not until 40 minutes later that a motel clerk discovered Birchard's body and called 911. The delayed response and the lack of immediate calls to the police from other guests raised questions about the motel's security and the awareness of its occupants.
The conviction of Robert Donald Intong brought some closure to the tragic incident, but it also highlighted the senseless nature of the violence that claimed Cole William Birchard's life. The case underscored the importance of thorough investigations and the role of surveillance footage in providing crucial evidence. As Intong awaits his sentencing, the community of Riverside continues to grapple with the loss of a young life cut short by a moment of violence.
